The Monterey County Office of Education website can be translated into many different languages using the Google™ Translate Service, hereinafter referred to as the “Service”. The Service is offered to you ("User" or "You") as a public service at no cost to assist web visitors with understanding information presented on this website in a variety of foreign languages.
The maintenance and publishing of content for this site is done in English. Because the Service provides automated computer translations there may be differences in meaning between the English and translated language. MCOE cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through the Service, so translations are not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from the Service does so at his or her own risk; and, should refer to the English content whenever discrepancies exist. MCOE disclaims, and will not accept, any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Service.
Monterey County Office of Education
Leadership, Support and Service to Prepare All Students for Success
Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
E-News MCOE January/February 2019
2019 Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair
Stuff the Bus 2018 is underway in Monterey County
Paul Hamrick Finishes Tied for 7th in National Spelling Bee
There's no debate about it - Monterey County students win big
Very Special Field Day for Very Special Students
Five Monterey County Students Receive Recognition at California Science and Engineering Fair
Monterey County Names 2019 Teacher of the Year
Head Start Open for 2018 2019 School Year Enrollment
MCOE Names 2018 Classified School Employees of the Year
2018 Monterey Countywide Spelling Bee Results
Learn How to Become a Teacher Information Session this March
Special Education Communication Workshop
MCOE Teacher Recruitment Fair 2018
Human Trafficking Summit to be held January 25, 2018
Learn How to Become a Teacher During An MCOE Workshop
Substitute Teacher Rates Increasing for 2018
Changing How We View and Promote School Progress
Monterey County's First Annual Jam Session
Silver Star Youth Program Students Recognized During Celebration
Monterey County 2017 CAASPP Scores Show Continued Growth
Monterey County Celebrates Solar Eclipse Despite Fog
MCOE Closed to the Public May 31st
California's New School Accountability Dashboard
2017 Countywide Spelling Bee Results
TOY and CSEY Nominees and Award Winners Honored
Soberanes and Chimney Fire Air Quality Update
MCOE Partners with United Way and MPUSD to Kick-Off Stuff the Bus 2016
MCOE Recognizes Foster Care Awareness Month with Recognition Event
Bright Smiles Shine on 3rd Annual MCOE Field Day
MCOE Names Teacher and Classified Employees of the Year
Monterey County SAFE Students Take Flight
Migrant Speech and Debate Tournament 2016
Occhiata Foundation Day at the Opera
Middle School Migrant Youth Day at CSUMB
East of Salinas Highlights Local Student and Teacher
Monterey County Office of Education’s Migrant Program Featured on KAZU
MCHCS Holds Annual Book Fair and Craft Day
MCOE participates in KSBW Share Your Holiday event
Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill
Summer Teacher Recruitment Fair
BrightBytes’ Clarity Arrives in Monterey County!
MCOE Provides Website Translation Service
State Speech and Debate Tournament held in Monterey
Annual Mathletics Competition held May 2
Field Day takes place in Salinas
Mathletics Competition Changes Location
MCOE Introduces "Tech Yak" Blog
Child Abuse Prevention Council Honors Dr. Kotowski
25th Annual Monterey County History Day
Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair
Monterey County Home Charter School Renewed
U.S. Constitution Project Essay Contest
Introducing MCOE's New Website
MCOE Received $2.8 Million for a Comprehensive Approach to Address Youth Violence in Salinas
Contacts:
Jessica Hull | Communications and Public Relations Officer, MCOE | 831.784.4245 (o), 209.679.4858 (c)
Marci McFadden | Chief of Communication and Engagement, MPUSD | 831.645.1263 (o), 831.706.6971 (c)
Meet the 2019 Monterey County Teacher of the Year!
Monterey, Calif. – The Monterey County Office of Education is pleased to announce that Joanna Medina of Monte Vista Elementary School in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is the 2019 Monterey County Teacher of the Year. Medina and her school found out about the honor on Friday, April 20th when county and district dignitaries made a surprise announcement to the entire school at Monte Vista’s Friday welcome ceremony (photos and videos are available here).
Medina’s history with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Monte Vista Elementary School extends back to when she was a young student at the school. Not only was she a student, but she considered the staff at Monte Vista her family because her mom was also teaching at the school during the time. She fondly recalls spending many mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends at Monte Vista - her home away from home, and to be able to come back and teach at the school in 1992 was a dream come true.
Medina has worked in education for nearly 40 years, has been with MPUSD for 25 years, and currently teaches fifth grade. She was nominated by peers in MPUSD and selected by a district committee as the district’s nominee in the countywide program.
“Mrs. Medina is so deserving of this recognition,” said Dr. PK Diffenbaugh, Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. “She is a role model to her peers at Monte Vista, and districtwide. Her strength is connecting with students and building a rapport. She knows firsthand the critical role positive student-staff relationships have on student achievement and success.”
“Teaching is a profession grounded in love and Mrs. Medina exemplifies the dedication, passion, and care for children a teacher needs to lead students to success,” said Nancy Kotowski, Ph.D., Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. “A lifelong love of learning and the many hats she wears for her school and her district made her the standout choice for Monterey County Teacher of the Year.”
The County Teacher of the Year is selected from Monterey County’s 24 school districts and represents the county at the state level competition later this year.
When asked what makes her an outstanding teacher, Joanna feels that it’s really the relational piece. “I feel my ability to connect and see beyond the behavior is my gift,” she states. She says that she has many students come in expecting to be “that kid,” but she embraces and cares for all students, stating “I cannot teach them the academics until I build a rapport and show them that I care for them.” And, once she builds the connection, she takes the time and effort to know the curriculum and teach according to each child through scaffolding and guided instruction.
Joanna wears many hats at Monte Vista Elementary School. Not only does she teach 5th grade full time, but she carves out time to give back to the community that has given so much to her. She provides leadership and professional development opportunities at her site, including actively participating in the BTSA program for at least 15 years. She works with graduate students on their preliminary credential and serves as a mentor teacher to help them obtain their full credential. She welcomes student teachers into her classroom and engages with the co-teacher program at California State University Monterey Bay.
She is a proud member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team, attending various districtwide professional developments, learning and bringing back information and resources to her school site members. She is frequently tapped on to co-present as part of the ILT on instructional models and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
Perhaps one of the most critical pieces that she oversees is the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program. She serves as a school site lead at her school and the neighboring middle school to ensure no students are left behind. Her leadership has led to remarkable results, including the ability to turn Monte Vista’s school culture around in just a few short years, and making a real difference in the surrounding community with engagement and school involvement.
Mrs. Medina is now eligible to be considered for the 2019 California Teacher of the Year award. She will be recognized, along with other Monterey County nominees at a celebration dinner in Salinas in May.
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The MCOE prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Accessibility Statement | Non-discrimination Policy | Sexual Harassment Policy | Uniform Complaint Procedures | Title IX NotificationCopyright © 2014 Monterey County Office of Education | WebMaster | Contact MCOE: 831.755.0300 | 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901
Welcome to the Monterey County Office of Education’s Website
We want everyone who visits our MCOE website to feel welcome and to easily find the information they need. Our website will be maintained in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will ensure each webpage conforms to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA standards. These guidelines were established by the World Wide Web Consortium, an international community with a shared vision to make all websites accessible to individuals with visual, hearing or cognitive disabilities.
How to Report Issues
If you have difficulty accessing information on our website due to a disability, please contact us at webmaster@montereycoe.org. and provide the URL (web address) of the material you tried to access, the problem you experienced, and your contact information (name, email address and phone number) so that we may contact you to provide the information in another format.
Title IX - Sex-Based Discrimination is Prohibited
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the Monterey County Office of Education. Title IX protects all participants in the County’s educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. The Monterey County Office of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.
In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code §§ 220-221.1.) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education. Please refer to Board Policies 5145.3 and Administrative Regulations 5145.3 for more information on the Monterey County Office of Education’s anti-discrimination policies.
You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable at the Monterey County Office of Education:
The Monterey County Office of Education has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the Monterey County Office of Education knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The Monterey County Office of Education must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for the County’s Title IX Coordinator.
For more information specific to anti-discrimination in Monterey County Office of Education employment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Learn more about your rights under Title IX:
Review related Monterey County Office of Education policies and regulations
The Monterey County Office of Education has a Title IX Coordinator who oversees the County’s compliance with Title IX requirements and promotes sex equity in the County’s programs. Contact the County’s Title IX Coordinator:
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator
831.784.4195
lbutler@montereycoe.org
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Title IX Coordinator
831.755.1405
evela@montereycoe.org
The Uniform Complaint Procedure is available on the Human Resources Forms page.
If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact the Human Resources Department for Personnel related complaints and the Student Services Department for Student related complaints. You may file a complaint anonymously, but the County Office of Education’s ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.
You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights website. The electronic complaint form for the Office for Civil Rights is available on the Office for Civil Rights' Website. Contact the Office for Civil Rights at:
San Francisco Office Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415.486.5555
Fax: 415.486.5570
TDD: 800.877.8339
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
For information about how to file other types of complaints and the procedures for those complaints, please contact the Human Resources Department at Monterey County Office of Education at 831.784.4195.
A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or retaliation must be filed no later than six months from the date the discrimination or retaliation occurred, or six months from when the complainant first learned of the unlawful discrimination. The Superintendent or designee may extend this timeline by up to ninety days for good cause, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.
Complaints filed under the County’s Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and a decision made within sixty calendar days of the County’s receipt, unless the complainant agrees to an extension. The County’s compliance officer or designee may interview alleged victims, alleged offenders, and relevant witnesses. The compliance officer may review available records, statements, or notes related to the complaint, including evidence or information received from the parties during the investigation. The compliance officer may visit reasonably accessible locations where discrimination is alleged to have occurred. As appropriate, the County’s compliance officer periodically will inform the parties of the status of the investigation. The complainant will be notified when a decision is made.
Complaints that are not filed under the County’s Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and decided pursuant to the applicable procedure.
For complaints filed under the Uniform Complaint Procedure, the compliance officer will prepare and send a final written decision to the complainant and respondent, if any, within 60 calendar days of the County’s receipt of the complaint (unless this deadline is extended by mutual agreement).
The complainant or respondent may appeal the County’s decision within fifteen calendar days to the California Department of Education. The appeal must specify the reason for the appeal and whether the County’s facts are incorrect and/or the law is misapplied. The appeal must include a copy of the original complaint to the Monterey County Office of Education and a copy of the County’s decision. For more information, visit the California Department of Education’s webpage on Uniform Complaint Procedures.
For complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on state law, the complainant may pursue available civil law remedies, including seeking assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys, sixty calendar days after filing an appeal with the California Department of Education. (California Education Code § 262.3.) Note that this sixty day moratorium does not apply to complaints seeking injunctive relief in state courts or to discrimination complaints based on federal law. (California Education Code § 262.3.)
Complaints may also be filed with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. For contact information, see the section above on “How do I file a complaint of sex discrimination?” and/or visit U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights website.
If the compliance officer finds that a complaint has merit, the Monterey County Office of Education will take appropriate corrective action.
For more information regarding Title IX and sex equity in education or in Monterey County Office of Education employment, please contact the County’s Title IX Coordinator.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator
831.784.4195
lbutler@montereycoe.org
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Title IX Coordinator
831.755.1405
evela@montereycoe.org